STOCKHOLM -- Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) and Finnish operator Elisa, the largest provider of enterprise communication services in Finland, have signed an agreement for managed services under which Ericsson will manage and develop Elisa's multivendor enterprise back-office environment.

Ericsson will be responsible for remote maintenance and change management for traditional and IP-based PBXs used by Elisa's enterprise customers. In addition, the contract covers part of the field service in the Uusimaa region of Finland.

The agreement is Ericsson's first multivendor managed services deal in the enterprise area in Finland, and will provide the operator with increased efficiency. Elisa and Ericsson will also strengthen their cooperation in enterprise system sales.

Jukka-Pekka Pelttari, Head of After Sales Services at Elisa, says: "Outsourcing these functions to Ericsson as a strategic partner for managed services is an important step in strengthening Elisa's market position. This partnership will allow us to focus even more on our customers, and further explore Elisa's full growth potential as the major provider of enterprise communication services in Finland."

Ericsson AB (Nasdaq: ERIC)